In Pine Script, the shape.arrowdown
is a constant string used with the plotshape
function to draw downward arrows on a chart. This visual tool is handy for highlighting specific conditions or signals, such as bearish patterns, sell signals, or any other analytical conclusion suggesting a downward price movement. Let’s dive into how to use
Basic Implementation
To start, let’s look at a basic example of how to use shape.arrowdown
with the plotshape
function:
//@version=5 indicator("My Down Arrow Example", overlay=true) signalCondition = close < open // Example condition for plotting an arrow plotshape(series=signalCondition, style=shape.arrowdown, location=location.abovebar, color=color.red, size=size.small, title="Sell Signal")

In this example, the plotshape
function is used to draw a downward arrow whenever the closing price is lower than the opening price, signaling a potential sell.
Walkthrough of the Code
- Version and Indicator Declaration: We start by specifying the version of Pine Script (
@version=5
) and declaring our script as an indicator withindicator("My Down Arrow Example", overlay=true)
. Theoverlay=true
parameter ensures that our shapes are drawn directly on the price chart. - Signal Condition:
signalCondition = close < open
defines our condition for plotting the arrow. Here, the condition is set to true whenever the close of a bar is lower than its open, suggesting a potential downward movement. - Plotting the Shape:
plotshape(series=signalCondition, style=shape.arrowdown, location=location.abovebar, color=color.red, size=size.small, title="Sell Signal")
uses theplotshape
function to draw the arrows. Here’s a breakdown of the parameters:series=signalCondition
: The condition under which the shape will be plotted.style=shape.arrowdown
: Specifies that the shape to be plotted is a downward arrow.location=location.abovebar
: Positions the arrow above the bar to which it corresponds.color=color.red
: Sets the arrow color to red, typically associated with a sell signal or bearish condition.size=size.small
: Determines the size of the plotted shape. Options includesize.tiny
,size.small
,size.normal
,size.large
, andsize.huge
.title="Sell Signal"
: Gives a title to the plotted shape, which can be viewed in the indicator legend.
Key Features
- Function Usability and Syntax: The
plotshape
function, when used withshape.arrowdown
, provides a straightforward syntax for visually representing bearish signals or conditions on a chart. - Application: It’s ideal for highlighting specific market conditions that traders and analysts should pay attention to, such as potential sell opportunities or the start of a downward trend.
Takeaways
- The
shape.arrowdown
constant in Pine Script is a powerful visual tool for indicating bearish market conditions or potential sell signals. - By adjusting the
plotshape
function parameters, you can customize the appearance and positioning of your arrows to fit your analytical needs. - Understanding how to manipulate these visual tools in Pine Script enhances your ability to communicate complex market analyses in an intuitive and visually appealing manner.
This walkthrough should provide a solid foundation for incorporating shape.arrowdown
into your Pine Script indicators and strategies, enhancing both the functionality and visual appeal of your trading scripts.